Final 'Huntley-Brinkley Report' on NBC / July 31, 1970

Chet Huntley and David Brinkley teamed in 1956 for NBC's 'Huntley-Brinkley Report,' the very first dual anchor national evening newscast. It dominated the ratings until the debut of 'The CBS Evening News With Walter Cronkite' in 1963. In this final broadcast, as Huntley retires, he and David say goodbye to each other for the last time. At the very same moment 'over on that other network,' CBS, Walter Cronkite was adding his own goodbyes to Huntley, saying that "a giant was leaving the industry." You can watch that clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNHLejA6onY
For you technical geeks, this was recorded in the video tape room of WTVJ-TV in Miami, FL on the air date above on what was then called 'quad,' or 2" video-tape. Over the years, I dubbed it first to 3/4" tape, then beta, then DVC pro and finally to DVD.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Walter
• Cronkite
• Chet
• Huntley
• David
• Brinkley
• NBC
• News

[swarze]

Isn't it peculiar that there is no ONE woman in the credits? Not ONE!

[thecardsaysmoops]

Actually, it wasn't peculiar at all at the time. Remember, this was 1970. Newsrooms were ALL occupied by chain smoking men clanging away on manual typewriters. At WTVJ in Miami, where this was recorded, the only woman was the assistant News Director. The first female news reporter wasn't hired until 1971. Yes, baby, we've come a long way!

[ignatzmuskrat3000]

That old theme is Ludwig Van's 9th. If Olbermann chose it for its pertinence to this, then it is more an homage than a imitation. (and I don't recall him using it anyway. He uses Bach) Also, to correct your impression, I don't think Olbermann calls himself a journalist tho he certainly is an adherent to its tenets unlike those of his competitors, the O'Reilley's and Hannity's.

[swarze]

@sd31263 And my question to you is, do you actually READ the comments before you feel the need to leave your excrement along side? I have apologized for having missed the 2 women in the midst of several other men, and I continue to be called to the floor by MEN who want to make me feel dumb. I am not dumb...I missed 2 names. Can we just all leave me the hell alone now?

[sd31263]

@swarze Umm...Christie Basham. Patricia Williams.

Do you actually watch these videos before commenting on them? Or do you like coming off sounding like a complete idiot?

[sd31263]

@ignatzmuskrat3000 He did not use Bach. Olbermann's MSNBC show used the first six notes from the second movement of Beethoven's Ninth. He acknowledged on-air that he took it from the Huntley-Brinkley Report's closing theme. That version was recorded by the NBC orchestra in 1952.

[6828Lu]

What a great news team; today's reporters and anchors would do well to take note. And Beethoven's Ninth Symphony rocks. :)

[dc4u54]

@thecardsaysmoops Thanks for the memories. Growing up in Chicago, my dad never missed the NBC Evening News. The classical closing piece, I've heard before but can't remember if its Beethovan? Any thoughts?

[phyzzique]

They were the best! Good night Chet....good night David.

[hydrolito]

@phyzzique Most people didn't live in New York City so didn't see a woman on a news broadcast until Barbara Walters Appeared.

[phyzzique]

@hydrolito Boy are you wrong! In NYC in the 50's we had the two best weather girls ever! Carol Reed on channel 2 and Gloria Okon on channel 11. Yes the 50's baby.

[1sababoy]

Great journalists with great analysis of the hard news in that era. No talk-show format or pop culture sensationalism. My, what we have lost. :-/

[KingPurplePimp]

@swarze I counted 2.